Massive flodding forces thousands from their homes in eastern Canada

   Canada column for Sunday, April 28/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Thousands of people have been forced from their homes after massive flooding in eastern Ontario, Quebec, southern Manitoba and New Brunswick.

   The flooding of swollen rivers from rain and melting snow has led to states of emergency being declared in Ottawa, Montreal and numerous cities and towns.

   The real culprit is climate change, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said after touring the flood-stricken areas along the Ottawa River where paths behind the Parliament Building are under water.

   It’s the second time in three years homeowners are trying to protect their properties as weekend storms were expected to make water levels rise rapidly.

   Hard-hit Quebec has more than 6,000 houses underwater or surrounded as soldiers have arrived to help sandbag and assist.

   With so many flooded houses in Quebec, Premier Francois Legault said the province will offer disaster relief of up to $100,000 to homeowners or up to $200,000 for those who decide to move away from flood-prone areas.

   As flood levels drop in New Brunswick, there are still more than 80 roads closed including a portion of the TransCanada Highway.

Decision delayed on Canada's Trans Mountain pipeline expansion

   Canada column for Sunday, April 21/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   A decision on whether to approve the controversial Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is being delayed until June 18 to allow more input from Indigenous groups.

   The Canadian government extended the date from May 22 on the $9-billion pipeline twinning approved by the National Energy Board.

   Environmentalists and native groups have opposed the 715-mile expansion to transport more Alberta crude oil and refined products to seaports in British Columbia.

   Of major concern has been the additional ship traffic off the coast with noise, pollution and the impact on wildlife as well as the potential for pipeline leaks.

   Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi said there has been “meaningful, two-way dialogue” with Indigenous groups to understand priorities.

   The board made 16 new recommendations including measures to reduce ferry noise, adding incentives and establishing requirements for quiet vessel design.

   Construction has been delayed since last year after the Federal Court of Appeal ruled the board didn’t consider marine impacts and said more consultations were needed.

Canada and U.S. remain in a grudge over tariffs, trade

   Canada column for Sunday, April 14/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Once the friendliest of neighbors, Canada and the U.S. remain in a grudge match involving expanded punishing tariffs on each other’s goods.

   Now a longer list of tariffs on U.S. products is being readied as Canada seeks the “greatest possible impact” on the U.S., said Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland.

   “We are certainly constantly looking at ways to refresh the retaliation list – to have an even greater impact,” she said.

   Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has had no success convincing U.S. President Donald Trump to drop the tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.

   Canada’s initial list of tariffs on a wide variety of products included orange juice, maple syrup, whiskey and toilet paper.

   David MacNaughton, Canada’s ambassador to Washington, said Canada would announce a new list of targets as soon as this coming week.

   This is said to include a significant number of products such as apples, pork, ethanol and wine, he said.

Two key cabinet ministers 'fired' by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

   Canada column for Sunday, April 7/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has kicked two prominent women politicians out of the Liberal party over their claims of political interference in a court matter.

   “We've taken every effort to address their concerns and, ultimately, if they can't honestly say that they have confidence in this team, then they cannot be part of this team,”' Trudeau said.

   With that, he said that former Attorney-General Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott, who gave up their cabinet positions, were also to be removed from the Liberal caucus.

   “I hoped all along the prime minister would have accepted some responsibility for wrongdoing in this case and essentially apologized to Canadians,” Wilson-Raybould said.

   This followed her release of a secret recording of a phone call with Privy Council Clerk Michael Wernick and four hours of testimony at the Justice Committee.

   He wanted prosecutors to drop bribery charges against engineering company SNC-Lavalin in favor of a “deferred prosecution agreement.”

   For the governor-general to secretly record anyone is “unconscionable,” Trudeau said.

   Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer called the firings a “betrayal of justice,” as those who “blow the whistle on government misconduct and corruption” should be protected.